SportwayNews

Manchester United are close to completing a £33.7m deal to sign Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna

Sources within Manchester United indicate the club is willing to pay slightly more than the £33.67 million release clause to secure a longer payment period for the 23-year-old player.

The Premier League club is committed to adhering to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) regarding loss limits, acknowledging that their current financial situation is tight and necessitates disciplined transfer activities.

Anthony Martial, a long-serving forward, departed Old Trafford at the end of last season following the expiration of his contract. His prolonged absence due to injury, combined with Marcus Rashford’s dip in form, left new signing Rasmus Hojlund to bear the brunt of the striking responsibilities.

Hojlund ultimately lost his spot in Erik ten Hag’s starting eleven for the FA Cup final against Manchester City, where Bruno Fernandes was deployed in a false nine role.

Joshua Zirkzee, who joined Bayern Munich from Feyenoord in 2017, later moved to Bologna for approximately £7.15 million after loan stints with Parma and Anderlecht. Last season, he netted 12 goals in 37 appearances, helping Bologna secure an unexpected berth in this season’s Champions League.

Zirkzee was included in Ronald Koeman’s Euro 2024 squad but featured only as a substitute for the Netherlands, amassing a total of four minutes plus injury time in two appearances. He came on immediately after Ollie Watkins’ decisive goal in the semi-final loss to England on Wednesday.